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Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Dune Ridge Trail - Indiana Dunes National Park


The Dune Ridge Trail in Indiana Dunes National Park is a lollipop-shaped 0.7-mile trail located in the eastern part of the park. A large (~100 spaces) paved parking lot serves visitors going to Kemil Beach and to hike the Dunes Ridge Trail. When we visited in October 2019, there were only three other vehicles in the lot. A restroom facility with running water is also located in the parking area. This is a free day-use area that is open from 6 AM until 11 PM. The parking lot is located on E State Park Boundary Road, Beverly Shores, Indiana. The trailhead is located at the southeast corner of the lot.

The trail is basically flat with a short, steep climb to the ridge of a dune and a similar descent. A large marsh can be seen from atop the dune.

Parking lot and restrooms

Trailhead

Trailhead kiosk

Loose sand walking path

The first dune is completely forested

End of the stem and beginning of the loop

Benches for school groups attending ranger talks

Turning left at the fork

Firmer tread of packed dirt and sand

Turn right at this post

Start the short, steep climb to the ridge

Keep climbing

Still climbing

Just a little bit farther

Still lots of fall color

First view of the marsh

Another dune in the distance

The Great Marsh

Fall colors

Another view of the Great Marsh

Ridgetop trail

Another view of the fall colors on the dune and marsh

Many trees have already lost their leaves

A final view of the marsh

Trailside color

Beginning the descent

Continuing the descent

Ferns

Back in the interdune area

Open forest

A dense, young forest

Back at the fork and the benches

Returning to the trailhead

Entry to Indiana Dunes National Park is free. However, an expanded amenity fee of $6 daily is collected at West Beach from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend from 8:00 am to as late as 7:00 pm Central Time. This fee is used to provide the bathhouse and lifeguard service.

The Dune Ridge Trail webpage is https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/dr16.htm.

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